TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN, 1974 240D

[JakeVogel]

1975 240D JUST PURCHASED. THE TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN. I CAN INSERT THE MAIN (NOT VALET) KEY INTO LOCK BUT WILL NOT ROTATE, ITS IN THE HORIZONTAL POSITION. I CAN DEPRESS THE BUTTON BUT TRUNK STILL WILL NOT OPEN. IS THERE ANY OVERRIDE OR ANY TIRCKS TO GETTING IN THE TRUNK??? ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

THANKS

[Phil_F_NM]

Caps lock off, please.

If you have vacuum locks, the system may be stuck, if there is a vacuum trunk lock.
If not, try spraying in some naptha and working the lock. This is what freed up my locks and it took a day of jiggling the key.

If you have vacuum locks and the system is airtight, you should be able to open the trunk after you get the car started and it has built up enough vacuum (that is kind of a long shot though.)

Phil Forrest

[Idle]

It sounds like the key may not be the right one. You say it will not rotate. If this is the case then the key is not fitting the pins correctly.

This car is thirty-eight years old. During that time someone could have changed the trunk lock and perhaps the previous owner forgot to give you the correct key?

Contact the PO and ask if he they have a solution since it can be assumed they had to enter the trunk now and again. If this is not possible then engage a locksmith to make you a key. Until you can make the lock rotate nothing else you do will make any difference.

There is a path to the inside of the trunk through the trunk floor, but it is complicated and very time consuming. Try the locksmith first.

[JakeVogel]

The customer stated it was the correct key and it used to work, but vehicle sat
for 7 years and quit opening recently. The previous owner stated the provided key worked last year, they purchased oil/fuel filters and placed them in the trunk. i will try spraying lubricant in the lock hole and see if the "pins" will fall into position and allow me to turn key.

[whunter]

This link should have everything you need.

Trunk Lock Opening Links


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[Idle]

Originally Posted by JakeVogel

The customer stated it was the correct key and it used to work, but vehicle sat
for 7 years and quit opening recently. The previous owner stated the provided key worked last year, they purchased oil/fuel filters and placed them in the trunk. i will try spraying lubricant in the lock hole and see if the "pins" will fall into position and allow me to turn key.

There is a liquid graphite spray that is sold at NAPA just for this sort of thing. If the lube you used is not successful then you should try something like this.

Spraying this is messy, so have a rag handy to clean up the excess. Tapping the lock gently after spraying might also have some effect in knocking the pins loose.